Improvement in vapor-stoves



S. CHILD, Jr.

Vapor Stove.

Patented July 24, 1866.

Ji /W WW/ 2%. y? R a 0 \W m m NITED STATES PATENT Errors.

SAMUEL CHILD, JR, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IM PROVElVl ENT IN VAPOR-STOVES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL CHILD, J r., of Baltimore, in the county ofBaltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Vapor- Stoves; and I hereby declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a verticalcentral section of that part of the stove to which my improvements areapplied. Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, represent, separately and in detail,the various parts shown in Fig. 1.

My invention relates to that class of stoves used for cooking, heating,and other purposes, in which the vapor of petroleum, when mixed withatmospheric air, is used as a heating agent; and it has particularreference to the method of regulating the supply of oil to the retort.In the most approved apparatus forthis purpose now in use the volatilefluid is contained in areservoir, whence it is conducted in pipes to aretort or heating-chamber, where it becomes vaporized. The gas thusgenerated escapes from a jet in the upper part of the retort, and heatsa heater-cap, which is supported on conductors raised a suitable dis--tance above the retort. This apparatus, as is well known, may often beused to advantage in place of the ordinary coal or wood stove; but it isnevertheless imperfect in many respects. (See, for instance, thevapor-stove of T. S. Gray, patented December 27 1864.) In this stove thestop-valve for shutting off the supply of fluid from the reservoir islocated on the reservoir-pipe, or, if more than one jet or burner beemployed, on each feed-pipe. Between the feed-pipe or reservoir-pipe andthe retort, and connecting them,is whatis called the retort-pipe. Thispipe is filled with a packing or wicking to steady and prevent theexcessive flow of the fluid. In the retort is a screw-valve, which opensor closes the jet in the retort and regulates the intensity of theflame.

Now, this arrangement is defective in many respects, the three principalof which are as follows:

First, the distance between the stop-valve and the retort. As thisvalveislocated on the feed or reservoir pipe, the whole length of theretort-pipe, after the supply has been cut off by the valve, will bestill filled with the fluid, which will continue to enter the retort andbecome vaporized. If the screw-valve in the retort be turned so as toclose the burner, the gas thus generated, finding no outlet, will beforced back into the pipe, or if it be allowed to burn until the fluidis exhausted the packing or wicking in the retort-pipe will becomegradually charred, and the apparatus may thus become clogged, while atthe same time an unpleasant odor is produced.

Second, the packing or wicking which it has been found necessary to usein this apparatus between the stop-valve and retort frequently impedesand clogs the working of the apparatus for the reasons above mentioned,and it is, moreover, difficult to be adjusted in its proper place, andrenders the arrangement more complicated.

Third, the employment of a valve in the retort. Goal-oil or petroleum,when heated so as to become vaporized and volatilized, penetrates andpasses through the smallest and most minute crevices, as is witnessedevery day in using the ordinary kerosene-lamp. When a valve is locatedin the retort, and is operated by a small wheel or handle just under theretort, as is seen in Grays stove, it is impossible to prevent theheated and volatile fluid from leaking through the valve at the pointwhere the stem or shank penetrates the retort. It is needless to saythat this leakage is a great drawback, which should be obviated ifpossible.

In making the improvements which are the subject of this application Ihave had special reference to the above-mentioned defects, and haveendeavored to remedy them as far as possible, so as to produce anapparatus simpler and less complicated, and which at the same time isless liable to get out of repair or operative order, than any other nowin use.

Instead of employing the two valves, the one located on the reservoir orfeed pipe and the other on the retort, and then filling the interveninglength of pipe with packing, as shown in the Gray stove, I make use ofone valve only-a screw-valve-its seat being just at the point where theretort-pipe joins the retort, and having a shank or stem which eX- tendsback through the length of the retortpipe, and is opera-ted by a handleor small wheel placed at the point of junction of the reservoir andretort-pipes. By this arrangement I cut off the supply of fluid at theimmediate entrance to the retort, so that when desired the vaporizationof the fluid and generation of gas can be instantaneously stopped.

I also am enabled by this means to dispense with the wick-packing andwith the screw-valve in the retort, which is thus rendered perfectlytight and free from leakage.

An incidental advantage resulting from my improvements is that theconstruction of the retort is much simplified, for it may consist of aplain iron neck or elbow'without the elaborate internal arrangementshown in the retort used in Grays stove.

Having indicated in a general manner the nature of my invention, I willnow, in order that others may be fully enabled to understand and use it,proceed to describe the manner in which the same is or'may be carriedinto effect, referring at the same time to the accompanying drawings andletters of reference marked thereon.

The device or apparatus shown in the drawings is that part of avapor-stove which generates the vapor or gas used for heating, cooking,or other purposes. It consists of a fluidreservoir, L, connected bypipes M and E with a retort or generating-chamber, B, the flow of liquidthrough the pipes into the retort being regulated by a suitably-arrangedvalve-rod, D.

In order to have a column of liquid which will keep the retortconstantly supplied when the valve is open, the reservoir L, which holdsthe volatile fluid, is placed some distance above the level of theretort B, where the gas is generated. A pipe, M, commonly called thereservoir or feed pipe, extends downward from the reservoir, and isunited to the retortpipe E, or pipe which is in immediate communicationwith the retort, by an elbow-joint, F.

The pipe E, which is of suitable length, extends horizontally or atright angles to the feed-pipe, and meets the retort B, to which it issecured either by means of a screw formed on its end, which fits acorresponding female screw in the retort, as shown in the drawings, orby solder or any other suitable means for forming a tight and securejoint.

The retort B is so shaped as to form a tubular neck or elbow, and itsupper end is closed by a cap, m, which is screwed down into the retort,as shown in the drawings.

The gas escapes in a jet from the orifice bin the cap at and strikesagainst the heater-cap A, which is supported on conductors a, secured inthe cap at and extending therefrom a suitable height above the retort.

The arrangement of the apparatus thus far bears a general resemblance tothat of an ordinary vapor-stove. My improvements which are combined withthis apparatus consist, as above said, in the means by which both theflow of the fluid from the reservoir L into the retort B is regulatedand controlled and the internal organization of the apparatusitself issimplified and better adapted for common use.

Instead of employing the complicated arrangement used in-othervapor-stovesas, for instance, that shown in the hereinbefore-mentionedapparatus patented by Gray, in which one valve for checking the flow ofthe oil is placed on the reservoir or feed pipe and another is placed inthe retort for preventing the escape of the gas and oil from the orificein the capI use but one valve, which I locate at the point where theoil, after passing through the pipe E, enters the heating-chamber orretort B. The construction and arrangement of this valve is as follows:The end cl of the rod D nearest the retort is made into a conical shape,so as to form a valve which fits in the valveseat, as hereinafterexplained. That portion of the rod in rear of the conical end forms thevalve rod or stem, which extends back through the retort-pipe E, beingarranged axially therewith, and is supported in a sleeve, G, formed bythe projecting end of the elbow, which end, for this purpose, isextended back upon the prolongation of the retort-pipe E. A screwthreadis out upon that part of the rod D supported in the sleeve G, which fitsin a corresponding female-screw formed upon the interior of the sleeve.By this means the conical valve at the end'of the rod may be made toopen or close the opening in the valve-seat.

'A cap, H, which acts as a stuffing-box, is screwed over the end of thesleeve. The interior of the cap is provided with a metal washer,

a, and cotton or hemp packing I), which, when rod extends out throughthis cap, and has 4 mounted on its end a handle, by which the valve isoperated.

The valve-seat O is a cylindrical piece of metal, through which atubular hole or passage is made to allow the oil to enter the retort Bwhen the valveis opened. The orifice nearest the valve is made of aconical shape, so as to correspond with the conical valve. Atubularpassage extends thence through the piece, and it may be turned so as tobring the orifice from which the fluid is discharged into the retort inclose proximity to the bottom of the retort, as shown in Fig. 1 or itmay be formed on the prolongation of the axis of the retortpipe, asshown in Fig. 5. I prefer, however, the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, asthereby the fluid is more readily and effectually vaporized.

The valve-seat may be either secured to the end of the pipe E, as shownin the drawings, or it may be secured to the neck of the retort B.

When the stove is to be used the valve is closed and the fluid-reservoiris filled with the oil. The flame of a spirit lamp is then appliedunderneath the retort B until it is thoroughly heated. As soon as thisis done the valve D is opened and the fluid commences to enter theretort through the opening in the valveseat, where it becomes vaporized.The gas thus generated escapes through the orifice or burner bin the topof the retort, and, being ignited, heats the heater-cap A. Thisheatercap, through the intermediary of the conduct-- ors n, communicatesits heat to the retort, which is thus kept at the proper degree of heatto effect the vaporization of the fluid. The valve may be opened more orless in accord ance with the degree of heat required.

The valve-rod D, which, as shown in the drawings, should be of adiameter a little less than the interior diameter of the tube E, allowsa snfficient supply of the fluid to pass freely into the retort, whileat the same time it has in a degree the effect to prevent an excess offluid from entering the retort-pipe anc forcing its Way into theretort.

If it be desired to stop the generation of heat, the valve, by means ofthe valve-rod and handle, is turned until it is forced up tightly intothe conical valve-seat C. By this means the flow of the oil into theretort is instantly stopped, and therefore gas ceases to be generated.

The advantages possessed by this arrangement of parts, as described byme, are apparent.

In the first place, the one valve D does the work that in otherapparatus is performed by two, three, or more valves.

Second, by shutting off the flow of oil at the point where it enters theretort vaporization instantly ceases, and all the disagreeable odorwhich is produced in other stoves by the gradual evaporation of thefluid that remains in the pipe below the point where the supply is shutoff, as seen in the Gray stove, is done away with.

Third, by using a valve-rod extending throughout the length of theretort-pipe the packing employed in other apparatus for steadying theflow of oil may be dispensed with, the apparatus then being less liableto get clogged and out of operative order.

Fourth, by extending the valve-rod or stem back through the retort-pipe,so that it may be taken out therefrom at a point where the fluid is notheated and volatilized, all leakage is in a great measure prevented, andthe retort or generating-chamber of the apparatus may be made perfectlytight.

Having now fully described my invention and the manner in which the sameis or may be carried into eifect, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is as follows 1. In apparatusfor generating heat invaporstoves, as above described, regulating the supply of fluid to theretort or heating-chamber in the manner and by the means hereinbeforespecifiedthat is to say, by locatin g the valve which regulates the flowof the oil or other fluid at or near the point where the fluid entersthe said retort, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. In combination with the retort or heating-chamber of a vapor-stoveand valve-seat located at or near the point of junction of said retortwith the pipe which connects it with the fluid-reservoir, as specified,the valve constructed and arranged so as to operate on the axis of thesaid pipe, substantially as and for the purposes herein shownanddescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification beforetwo subscribing witnesses.

SAML. CHILD, JR.

